Deferred action batteries

ABSTRACT

1. A reserve battery that remains in an inactive state until activated comprising: (a) a battery case having an electrode compartment; (b) battery electrodes housed in said electrode compartment; (c) an electrolyte stored in said electrolyte container; (e) means to attach said electrolyte container to said battery case; (f) means to isolate said electrolyte from said electrodes when said electrolyte container is attached to said battery case to keep said reserve battery in said inactive state until activated; (g) a first battery terminal formed by said battery case; (h) a second battery terminal comprising a hollow member passing through one end of said battery case; (i) means to insulate said hollow member from said battery case. (j) a gas vent valve located in said battery case; and (k) means for transferring said battery case; and sure, from said electrolyte container to said electrode compartment when said electrolyte container is attached to said battery case to thereby activate said battery, said electrolyte is stored in a frangible envelope inside said electrolyte container and wherein said means to attach said electrolyte container to said battery case includes means for removable attaching said electrolyte container to said battery case, said means for removable attaching said battery case comprises a hollow channel member extending from one end of said electrolyte container, said hollow channel end of said electrolyte container, said hollow channel member having hollow tube passing therethrough and being so designed that said hollow channel member can be removable secured inside said hollow member of said battery case, said hollow tube extending into said battery case when said hollow channel member of said electrolyte container is secured inside said hollow member of said battery case.

Nov. 5, 1974 R. E. MAU CH ETAL DEFERRED ACTION BATTERIES 4 Sheets-Shed 1Original Filed May 50, 1972 2 G H 5 F m M: v I w 0 5 5 l 7 v a. v 6-I/I/I I I I/I/ r m 1 C 4 I W /\:I/I/I/I IvI I I III N u 352iI vv I I lI I I I \I I I \I-Ii mu F m B 3/ G G F F SECTION A-A Nov. 5, 1974 MAUCHETAL DEFERRED ACTION BATTERIES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 30,1972 m N w w E II 8 ll 6 x E.. 2 7 WW I W 6 5 5 6 84 5 FIG. 7

FIG. I4

Nov. 5, 1974 R. E. MAUcH ETAL 3.845.177

DEFERRED ACTION BATTERIES Original Filed May 30, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet S 885 6 SECTION B B Nov. 5, 1974 R. E. MAUCH ErAL DEFERRED ACTION BATTERIES4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 30, 1972 FIG. 2|

O 2 E El FIG. 23

FIG. 24

United States Patent O 3,846,177 DEFERRED ACTION BATTERIES Robert E.Mauch and Robert I. Sarbacher, Santa Monica, Calif, assignors to John C.Bogue, Santa Monica, Calif. Continuation of application Ser. No.257,643, May 30, 1972. This application Feb. 27, 1974, Ser. No. 446,481Int. Cl. I-IOlm 21/10 US. Cl. 136--114 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention relates generally to reserve primary and secondarybatteries and more particularly to improved reserve batteries whichprovide novel activation methods, gas venting and electrolyte flowcontrol. Several different species of the invention are disclosed.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 257,643 filed May 30,1972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to batteries and moreparticularly to reserve primary and secondary batteries.

Reserve cell batteries are known in the art. They are batteries in whichthe electrodes are fully assembled for operation, but the electrolyte isheld in reserve in a separate container until it is desired that thebattery be activated. Since there is no consumption of the electrodesunder these circumstances, the shelf life of these batteries isessentially unlimited. The battery is activated by transferring theelectrolyte from its reserve/storage container to the battery electrodecompartment.

Two major factors have important effects on the shelf life of reservebatteries. One is the possibility of the electrolyte leaking out of itsreservoir and the other is loss of electrolyte through evaporation. Thisinvention provides reserve batteries so designed that both of theseproblems are minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Several different species of reserve primaryand secondary batteries designed in accordance with this invention areshown and described. In all the species, however, the electrodes and theelectrolyte are retained in separate containers or compartments untilthe battery is activated. The batteries are activated by activationmeans that permits the electrolyte to flow from the electrolytecomparment into the electrode compartment. Each of the disclosedbatteries is provided with a particular activating system and some ofthe embodiments with particular'gas venting and electrolyte fiow controlmeans. Further, all the disclosed batteries are so designed that thepossibility of electrolyte leakage or evaporation is practicallynon-existent. Therefore, the shelf life of batteries designed inaccordance with this invention is essentially unlimited.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A complete understanding of the invention canbe obtained from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen read in conjunction with the annexed drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a rectangular type reserve batteryconstructed in accordance with this inven tion;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a cylindrical reserve battery ofthis invention wherein the electrolyte container is detachable from theelectrode container after the battery has been activated;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a cylindrical reserve cellembodiment of this invention in which the electrolyte containertelescopes over the electrode container when the battery is activated;

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along the line AA of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along the line BB of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a section view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows a latching device for holding the telescoping part of thebattery of FIG. 7 in the compressed position after the battery has beenactivated;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a reserve battery constructed inaccordance with this invention in which the battery is contained in theflexible plastic tube;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the battery of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing a modified version of thereserve battery of FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a section view taken along the line AA of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a section view taken along the line BB of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the battery of FIG. 15 showing the terminaland the battery;

FIG. 19 is another end view of the battery showing the electrolytecontainer and the battery;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of another cylindrical reserve batteryembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the battery of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the reservebattery of this invention in which the electrodes are wound around acentral electrolyte container;

FIG. 23 shows one of the electrodes of the battery of FIG. 22 before itis wound into a spiral and inserted into the case of the battery of FIG.22; and

FIG. 24 shows the other electrode of the battery of FIG. 22 before it iswound into a spiral and inserted into the battery case of FIG. 22.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thesefigures show a reserve battery arranged in a rectangular configuration.The case 10 which may be made from plastic or any other suitablematerial is divided into two major compartments, the electrodecompartment 11 and the electrolyte compartment 12 which contains theelectrolyte. Before the battery is activated, the electrolyte isconstrained within electrolyte compartment 12 by means of the rubberpiston 13 and the valve 14. Rubber piston 13 is prevented from beingdislodged from electrode compartment 12 by means of the shoulders 20which secure piston 13 in the position indicated in FIG. 1.

The electrodes 15 housed in electrode compartment 11 have the terminals16 which extend through case 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A baffle 18is provided inside electrode compartment 11 in the position shown inFIG. 1. A gas vent hole 19 is provided in case 10 directly above baffle18.

When the reserve battery shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is to be activated,rubber piston 13 is pushed upward in the direction indicated by thearrow 17 in FIG. 1. Rubber piston 13 can be pushed in the direction ofarrow 17 by push rod or any other suitable means. A push rod (not shown)may be conveniently attached to battery case 10 by means of removabletape. The pressure created by pushing rubber piston 13 in the directionof arrow 17 is transmitted to valve 14 thereby forcing it open. Whenvalve 14 is open, the electrolyte will flow into electrode compartment11 through a small hole or channel provided in valve 14. This small holeor channel in valve 14, which provides for the transfer of theelectrolyte from its storage compartment 12 to electrode compartment 11,serves as a hydrodynamic flow rate regulator. Thus, the electrolyte fromcompartment 12 can be introduced into electrode compartment 11 at a rateequal to the rate of electrolyte absorption by the electrodes.

Baffle 18 prevents the electrolyte from escaping outside containerthrough vent hole 19. Bafile 18 deflects the electrolyte stream issuingthrough the opening of valve 14 downward onto the electrodes 15. Theamount of electrolyte provided in compartment 12 is just enough tosaturate electrodes 15 and will be absorbed by the elec trodes so thatthere is no fiuid electrolyte remaining in electrode compartment 11within a few minutes after piston 15 has emptied electrolyte compartment12. A small Wad of raw cotton (not shown) may be placed between baffle18 and vent hole 19 to reduce the probability of electrolyte escapingfrom battery case 10.

After all the electrolyte has been transferred from compartment 12 toelectrodes 15, the battery is fully activated and ready for use. Any gasgenerated during discharge of the battery escapes through vent hole 19.Without venting means such as vent hole 19, the gas pressure generatedduring discharge could build up in electrode compartment 11 to a pointwhere the pressure inside compartment 11 is sufiiciently great to bulgeor crack battery case 10.

The electrode assembly contained in the electrode compartment 11 are notshown in detail since the electrode 7 materials and electrode assemblyconfiguration are not critical to the present invention. Such materialsand configurations are well known in the art.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a cylindrical reserve battery embodiment of thisinvention. As shown in these figures, the battery comprises an electrodecase or container 32 and an electrolyte container or case 37.Electrolyte container 37 may be made of plastic or any other suitablematerial. Electrode container 32 on the other hand must be made from aconductive material for reasons that will be apparent later.

Electrolyte container 37 has a compartment 22 which houses theelectrolyte and the piston 24. Electrolyte 25 may be contained in a thinglass or plastic envelope 28 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. A piston rod 23which extends through case 37 is secured to piston 24. Case 37 isprovided with a threaded male member 36. A hollow tube 26 extendsthrough male member 36.

Electrically conductive case 32 has a compartment 21 which houses theelectrodes 30. A valve arrangement comprising the spring 29 and the ball27 are also housed in compartment 21. The top of case is provided with agas pressure release valve 35. A threaded member 38 is secured incompartment 21 and protrudes through case 32 as shown in FIG. 4. Member38 has both internal and external threads. The internal threads areprovided for receiving male member 36. A terminal nut 31 is threadedonto the external threads of member 38. Terminal nut 31 and member 38constitute one terminal of the battery. Member 38 is insulated frommetallic case 32 by means of the bushing 33. The case 32 constitutes theother terminal of the battery.

As long as electrolyte 25 remains enclosed in its envelope 28 thebattery is inactive. The battery is activated by pushing piston rod 24towards case 32. Before piston rod 23 can be so operated, the plasticcover 34 must first be removed. Cover 34 is provided to preventaccidental movement of piston rod 23 and therefore piston 24. Pushingpiston rod 23 and therefore piston 24 toward case 32 fractures envelope28 and forces electrolyte 25 under pressure throllgh tube 26. Ball 27 isnormally held in the position shown by spring 29. However, the pressureexerted on ball 27 by electrolyte 26 due to the movement of piston 24unseats ball 27 thereby permitting entry of electrolyte 25 intoelectrode compartment 21. When all of the electrolyte has beentransferred to electrode compartment 21 and the force on piston rod 23has been removed, ball 27 will again reseat itself in the position shownin FIG. 4. Thus, spring 29 and ball 27 provide a uni-directional springloaded ball valve which permits the introduction of fluid electrolyteinto the electrode compartment but prevents flow in the oppositedirection. Tube 26 is so sized as to provide control of the flow rate ofelectrolyte 25 into compartment 21.

When all of the electrolyte is transferred to electrode compartment 21,the battery is fully activated. At this point the force is removed frompiston rod 24 and electrolyte container 37 serves no further usefulpurpose. As was mentioned above, male member 36 is threadedly secured tomember 38. Therefore, when the battery is fully activated, electrolytecontainer 37 can be detached from case 32 and discarded by merelyunscrewing member 36 from member 38. Of course, it is not necessary thatelectrolyte container 37 be detached from case 32 after the battery isactivated. However, since electrolyte container 37 no longer serves anyuseful purpose it would in most cases probably be discarded.

FIGS. 7 thru 11 show a telescoping cylindrical embodiment of the reservebattery. As shown in these figures, the battery comprises a tubular case40 having an electrolyte compartment 41 and an electrode compartment 42.Electrolyte compartment 41 houses the electrolyte 44 which may beencapsulated in a thin glass or plastic container 43. Electrodecompartment 42 houses the electrodes 47.

Before the battery is activated, tubular cylinder 40 is extended to thevolume indicated in FIG. 7 and the electrolyte is encapsulated incontainer 43 as shown in this figure. To activate the battery,telescoping case 40 is reduced to a minimum volume thereby shatteringcontainer 43 and forcing electrolyte 44 into electrode c0mpartment 42.Electrolyte 44 flows into electrode compartment 42 through the tube 45.Before electrolyte 44 can enter electrode compartment 42, it must passthrough the small holes or channel 46. These channels serve as ahydrodynamic flow rate regulator. Such regulation is desirable if, forexample, electrode assembly 47 contains an absorbent material that is tobe saturated with the electrolyte. In such. a case the flow rateregulators 46 prevent too rapid introduction of electrolyte 44 intoelectrode compartment 42. The fiow of electrolyte 44 is constricted totube 45 by means of the O ring 51. A solid plastic tube 52 is insertedin hollow tube 45 to minimize the space for the accumulation ofelectrolyte outside the electrode compartment when case 40 is telescopedto its minimum volume.

As electrolyte 44 flows into electrode compartment 42 the air containedtherein is forced through. the small vent hole 48 into the compartment49 and out to the atmosphere through the vent hole 50. Any gases thatmay be generated during discharge of the battery also flow through tube48 into compartment 49 and, if sufiiciently high gas pressures areinvolved, flow out into the atmosphere through vent hole 50. Compartment49 may contain a material such as Porex, SLCA-S Micron, manufactured bythe Porex Materials Corporation of Fairburn, Ga.

One terminal of the battery is connected to the center metallic tube 45through the bushing 56 to the center metallic button 57. The insulatingbushings 54 and 55 separate this terminal of the battery from the otherterminal which is connected through the screw 58 to the case 40, asindicated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows a latching arrangement that may be used to hold case 40 inthe compressed position after the battery has been activated. As shownin this figure, the upper or telescoping portion of case 40 may containa slot 53. The slot 53 is so designed that it will latch on screw 58 andhold in this position when the pressure applied in forcing electrolyte44 into electrode compartment 42 is released. There will always be somepressure tending to force the telescoping section to expand. This forcewill latch the slot 53 on screw 58 to thereby hold the case 40 in theclosed position. When the upper or telescoping section of case 40 iscompressed it is merely turned until screw 58 engages slot 53.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show a flexible case embodiment of the reservebattery. As shown in these figures, the battery comprises a flexiblecase 60 which houses the electrode 61 and the electrolyte 62.Electrolyte 62 is en cased in a thin glass or plastic container 63. Theelectrodes 64 are brought out at one end of case 60.

This battery is activated by squeezing case 60 between the fingers.Squeezing case 60 will crush the container 63. Electrodes 61 will besaturated with electrolyte 62 from the crushed container and energy fromthe battery will be available at terminal 64 when electrodes 61 haveabsorbed the electrolyte.

T o prevent accidental squeezing of flexible case 60, the battery may behoused in a stiff or rigid case from which it can be removed whenneeded. Such a rigid case is not shown in the figures.

FIGS. thru 19 show a second telescoping reserve battery embodiment. Asshown in these figures, the battery comprises a telescoping tubular case70 which contains an electrolyte compartment 71 and an electrodecompartment 72. Electrolyte compartment 71 contains a batteryelectrolyte 74 which may be encapsulated in a thin glass or plasticcontainer 73. Electrode compartment 72 contains the electrodes 77.Before the battery is activated, case 70 is extended to the volumeindicated in FIG. 15 and electrolyte 74 is encased in container 73 asalso shown in FIG. 15. In other words, FIG. 15- shows the battery beforeactivation. To activate the battery telescoping case 70 is reduced to aminimum volume thereby shattering electrolyte container 73 and forcingthe electrolyte into the electrode compartment 72 through the tube 75.Electrolyte 74 enters electrode compartment 72 through the smallchannels or holes 76. These channels, as was the case with channels 46of the battery shown in FIG. 7, serve as a hydrodynamic flow rateregulator. Regulation of the flow rate is desirable if, for example, theelectrode assembly contains absorbent material that is to be saturatedwith the electrolyte. In such a case, the flow rate regulator 76 wouldbe so sized that the rate at which electrolyte 74 flows into electrodecompartment 72 is equal to the rate at which electrodes 77 can absorbthe electrolyte. In order to constrict the flow of electrolyte 74 totube 75 the O ring 81 is provided. A solid plastic tube 82 is insertedinto hollow tube 75 to minimize the space for the accumulation ofelectrolyte 74 outside of electrode compartment 72 when telescoping case70 is compressed to its minimum volume.

As electrolyte 74 flows into electrode compartment 72 the air containedtherein is compressed into the area 79 of electrode compartment 72. Thisarea 79 is sufliciently large so that the pressure within electrodecompartment 72 rises only slightly. However, should this pressure beexcessive or if the pressure increases due to any gas generated duringdischarge of the battery, a valve 89 is provided to relieve thispressure.

One terminal of the battery is connected to the center metallic button87. The insulating bushings 84 and 85 separate this terminal of thebattery from the other terminal which is connected through the screw 38to the case 70 as indicated in FIG. 15.

The latching arrangement shown in FIG. 11, designed to hold the batterycase in the compressed position after activation, may be used with thisbattery and operates as described above.

From the foregoing description and the description of the battery shownin FIGS. 7 thru 11, it is obvious that the battery shown in FIGS. 15thru 19 and the battery shown in FIGS. 7 thru 11 are similar. The basicdiiference between these two batteries being the manner in which gasventing is provided and the manner in which the air pressure caused byactivating the battery is handled.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show another cylindrical reserve battery embodiment ofthis invention. As shown in these figures, the battery comprises acylindrical case 91 which contains the electrolyte and the electrodes.As was the case with the other embodiments. FIGS. 20 and 21 show thebattery prior to activation. The electrolyte 93 is contained in aplastic tube 99 which is enclosed at one end by the plastic cover 98 andat the other end by the rubber piston 92.

The electrodes which are housed in the electrode compartment 100 arefabricated in the form of concentric tubes that surround electrolytetube 99. While other concentric tube arrangements could be used, thecenter tube 94 that directly surrounds tube 99 may be made of stainlesssteel and connected directly to the center button at the top of thebattery. This connection forms one terminal of the battery. Terminal 90is insulated from case 91 by means of the plastic disc 101. The nextconcentric tube 95 could be a depolarizing mix for the battery and thenext tube 96 could be the separator. Finally, the outside concentrictube 97 could be the active material of the battery. In such a casemetallic case 91 surrounding the concentric cylinders would be incontact with active material 97 to form the other terminal of thebattery.

To activate the battery shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, rubber piston 92 ispushed toward terminal 90 with a suitable rod or other device. Plasticcover 98 is so designed that it will give way when piston 92 is pushedtoward terminal 90. When plastic cover 98 gives way electrolyte 93 canflow into electrode compartment 100. Rubber piston 92 is pushed towardterminal 90 until all of the electrolyte 93 is in electrode compartment100. As the battery discharges any gases generated will push rubberpiston 92 back toward its original position, thereby relieving thepressure in electrode compartment 100.

FIGS. 22 thru 24 show a modification of the battery shown in FIGS. 20and 21. In this battery the electrolyte 112 is constrained within thecoaxial tube by the rubber piston and the plastic cover 107 until thebattery is ready for use. The electrode package which is indicatedschematically in FIG. 22 is actually a spiral package such as shown inthe battery of FIGS. 20 and 21. However, in this case, the electrodepackage 104 is made up of two spiral-wound electrodes separated by asuitable separator (not shown). The electrodes are shown prior towinding in FIGS. 23 and 24. As shown in these figures, electrode 108 hasthe electrical connection 102 welded in place and electrode 109 has theelectrical connection 106 welded in place. To form the electrode package104, a separator (not shown) is placed on top of one of the electrodes108 or 109 and the other electrode is then placed on top of thisseparator. The electrodes are then wound in a spiral to form theelectrode package 104. This package is, of course, slipped over theelectrolyte tube in the manner shown for the battery of FIGS. 20 and 21.Electrical connector 102 is connected to terminal button 110 andelectrical connector 106 is connected to the battery case 103, as shownin FIG. 22. Terminal 110 is insulated from battery case 103 by means ofthe insulating disc 111.

To energize this battery, one merely pushes rubber piston 105 towardterminal 110 with a push rod or any other suitable means. When piston105 is pushed toward terminal 110, the cover 107 is separated from theelectrolyte tube and electrolyte 112 can then flow into the electrodecompartment, thereby activating the battery and making it ready for use.Any gas generated during discharge of the battery will push rubberpiston 105 back toward the position shown in FIG. 22 to thereby relievethe pressure within the electrode compartment.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tospecific embodiments. it will be be obvious to those skilled in the artthat various modification and changes can be made to these specificembodiments with out departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A reserve battery that remains in an inactive state until activatedcomprising:

(a) a battery case having an electrode compartment;

(b) battery electrodes housed in said electrode compartment;

(c) an electrolyte container;

(d) an electrolyte stored in said electrolyte container;

(e) means to attach said electrolyte container to said battery case;

(f) means to isolate said electrolyte from said electrodes when saidelectrolyte container is attached to said battery case to keep saidreserve battery in said inactive state until activated;

(g) a first battery terminal formed by said battery case;

(h) a second battery terminal comprising a hollow t member passingthrough one end of said battery case;

(i) means to insulate said hollow member from said battery case;

(j) a gas vent valve located in said battery case; and

(k) means for transferring said electrolyte, under pressure, from saidelectrolyte container to said electrode compartment when saidelectrolyte container is attached to said battery case to therebyactivate said battery, said electrolyte is stored in a frangibleenvelope inside said electrolyte container and wherein said means toattach said electrolyte container to said battery case includes meansfor removabiy attaching said electrolyte container to said battery case,said means for removably attaching said battery case comprises a hollowchannel member extending from one end of said electrolyte container,said hollow channel member having a hollow tube passing therethrough andbeing so designed that said hollow channel member can be removablysecured inside said hollow member of said battery case, said hollow tubeextending into said battery case when said hollow channel member of saidelectrolyte container is secured inside said hollow member of saidbattery case.

2. A reserve battery as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to isolatesaid electrolyte from said electrodes com prises a spring and ball valveso positioned inside said battery case that said ball under theinfluence of said spring closes on the end of said hollow tube thatextends into said battery case when said electrolyte container issecured to said battery case.

3. A reserve battery as defined in claim 2 wherein said means totransfer said electrolyte from said electrolyte compartment to saidelectrode compartment comprises a movable piston located in saidelectrolyte container in such a position that said frangible envelope ispositioned between said piston and said hollow tube, said piston havinga piston rod extending through said electrolyte case so that said pistoncan be moved by means of said piston rod toward said hollow member tothereby fracture said frangible envelope and force said electrolytethrough said hollow tube past said ball into said battery case tothereby activate said battery.

4. A reserve battery that remains in an inactive state until activated,comprising:

(a) a battery case having a first hollow cylinder and a second hollowcylinder telescopically mounted over said first hollow cylinder, saidfirst hollow cylinder defiining an electrode compartment and the upperportion of said second hollow cylinder defining an electrolytecompartment;

(b) first and second battery terminals;

(c) battery electrodes housed in said electrode compartment defined bysaid first hollow cylinders;

(d) an electrolyte housed in said electrolyte compartment defined bysaid second hollow cylinder;

(e) means to isolate said electrolyte from said electrodes to keep saidreserve battery in said inactive state until activated;

(f) a hollow tube axially positioned in said electrode compartment, saidhollow tube being open at one end and having a pair of small channelopenings at its other end and being so axially positioned in saidelectrode compartment that said open end is adjacent said electrolytecompartment and communicates therewith; and

(g) means for transferring, under pressure, said electrolyte from saidelectrolyte compartment to said electrode compartment to therebyactivate said battery.

5. A reserve battery as defined in claim 4 wherein said first terminalis said battery case; said second terminal comprises a conductive memberextending through the end of said first cylinder that is opposite theend of said first cylinder over which said second cylinder istelescopically mounted; and wherein said hollow tube houses a solidcylindrical member having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameterof said tube throughout its entire length except for the end adjacentsaid small channels where the end of said solid cylindrical member has adiameter considerably smaller than the diameter of said hollow tube.

6. A reserve battery as defined in claim 5 wherein said means to isolatesaid electrolyte from said electrodes comprises a frangible envelopewhich contains said electrolyte and is housed in said electrolytecompartment.

7. The reserve battery as defined in claim 6 wherein said means fortransferring under pressure said electrolyte from said electrolytecompartment to said electrode compartment is said telescopically mountedsecond cylinder, said second cylinder being telescopically closed onsaid first cylinder to thereby rupture said frangible envelope to permitsaid electrolyte to fiow through said hollow tube and out said smallchannels into said electrode compartment to thereby activate saidbattery.

8. A reserve battery as defined in claim 7 wherein a screw protrudesthrough said first cylinder into said electrode compartment and saidsecond cylinder has a notch cut therein, said notch engaging said screwwhen said second cylinder is telescopically closed on said firstcylinder to thereby hold said second cylinder closed on said firstcylinder.

9. A reserve battery as defined in claim 8 wherein a ring seal islocated between said electrode compartment and said electrolytecompartment to restrict the fiow of said electrolyte to said hollow tubewhen said frangible envelope is fractured.

10. A reserve battery as defined in claim 9 wherein a gas reliefpressure chamber having a small channel communicating with saidelectrode compartment is located between said electrode compartment andsaid electrolyte compartment and wherein a gas vent to vent gas pressureto the atmosphere is connected to said gas relief pressure chamber.

11. The reserve battery as defined in claim 9 wherein said secondcylinder is provided with a gas pressure relief valve.

12. A reserve battery that remains in an inactive state until activatedcomprising:

(a) a substantially rectangular battery case having an electrodecompartment and an electrolyte compartment;

(b) a wall structure located inside said battery case and extending thefull length of said battery case to isolate said electrode compartmentfrom said electrolyte compartment;

(c) first and second battery terminals;

(d) battery electrodes housed in said electrode compartment;

(e) an electrolyte housed in said electrolyte compartment;

(f) a small channel cut through said wall structure near one end thereofand therefore adjacent one end of said battery case;

(-g) a pressure responsive valve afiixed to said wall structure andcovering said channel on the electrode compartment side of said wallstructure;

(h) an opening formed in the end of said battery case opposite said oneend of said battery case adjacent said small channel, said openingpassing through said battery case into said electrolyte compartment;

(i) a manually operable piston housed in said electrolyte compartment,one end of said piston being seated over said opening in said batterycase when said battery is in said inactive state, said piston being soshaped as to form a seal to prevent the escape of said electrolytethrough said opening in said battery case but also being so shaped thatsaid piston can be moved toward the said one end of said battery caseadjacent said small channel while maintaining said seal, said pistonbeing manually moved through said opening toward said one end of saidbattery case to apply pressure on said electrolyte thereby opening saidpressure responsive valve and transferring said electrolyte from saidelectrolyte compartment to said electrode compartment through said smallchannel to activate said battery;

(j) a gas vent passing through said battery case into said electrodecompartment, said gas vent passing through said battery case adjacentsaid one end of said battery case adjacent said small channel; and

(k) a bafiie attached in said electrode compartment in such a manner asto partially cover said gas vent to prevent the discharge of saidelectrolyte through said gas vent as said electrolyte is beingtransferred under 10 cylinder and the inside wall structure of saidbattery case,

(d) a first battery terminal secured to and extending beyond the end ofsaid battery case opposite said end of said battery case having saidcircular opening, said first battery terminal being insulated from saidbattery case;

(e) a second battery terminal formed by said battery case;

(f) an electrolyte housed inside said hollow cylinder;

(g) a movable piston located inside said hollow cylinder adjacent saidend of said battery case having said circular opening when said batteryis in said inactive state, said piston being so shaped that it providesa seal'to prevent the escape of said electrolyte through said circularopening, but also being so shaped that it can be manually moved towardsaid other end of said hollow cylinder while maintaining said seal tothereby apply pressure on said electrolyte; and

(h) a cap removable under presure covering said other end of said hollowcylinder, said cap covering said other end of said hollow cylinder toretain said electrolyte in said hollow cylinder to maintain said batteryin said inactive state until said battery is activated, said batterybeing activated by moving said piston toward said other end of saidhollow cylinder, the moving of said piston toward said other end of saidhollow cylinder causing the application of a pressure on saidelectrolyte to thereby remove said cap and force said electrolyte out ofsaid hollow cylinder into the area of said battery case occupied by saidsaid electrode package to thereby activate said battery.

14. A reserve battery as defined in claim 13 wherein pressure by meansof said piston from said electrolyte compartment to said electrodecompartment. 13. A reserve battery that remains inactive untilactivated, comprising:

said electrode package comprises concentric cylindrical electrodes.

15. A reserve battery as defined in claim 13 wherein said electrodepackage comprises spirally wound elec- (a) a hollow cylindrical batterycase having a cond centric circular opening in one end thereof; 40 -R fCited (b) a hollow cylinder concentrically located inside said batterycase, said hollow cylinder being open at both UNITED STATES PATENTS endsand having an outside diameter slightly larger 2,310,776 10/ 1957 Brill6t 31- 136-162 than said circular openings, one end of said hollow2,350,556 9/ 1958 H rmitte 136-91 cylinder being attached to the insideof said battery 2,862,038 11/ 1953 Blaru 1369O case at the end of saidbattery case having said 3,481,791 12/ 1969 Orsino 136 113 circularopening with the other end of said hollow 3,222,225 12/1965 i t 6 1-136-90 cylinder extending toward the end of said battery case 3, 34,29712/ 1969 Zaleski 1361 14 opposite said end having the circular openingbut 3,516,369 6/1970 Broglio 136114 said hollow cylinder being shorterin length than said 3,536,536 10/ 1970 Lu as 136114 battery case so thatan open space exists inside said 3,575,726 4/1971 Marsault 136114battery case between said other end of said hollow 3,663,302 5/1972 Kaye136114 cylinder and said end of said battery case opposite 3,669,7536/1972 Kaye 136-414 said end of said battery case having said circular iANTHONY SKAPARS, Prnnary Examlner (c) an electrode package slipped oversaid hollow cylinder such that said electrode package occupies 136 U5?the space inside said battery case between said hollow

1. A reserve battery that remains in an inactive state until activatedcomprising: (a) a battery case having an electrode compartment; (b)battery electrodes housed in said electrode compartment; (c) anelectrolyte stored in said electrolyte container; (e) means to attachsaid electrolyte container to said battery case; (f) means to isolatesaid electrolyte from said electrodes when said electrolyte container isattached to said battery case to keep said reserve battery in saidinactive state until activated; (g) a first battery terminal formed bysaid battery case; (h) a second battery terminal comprising a hollowmember passing through one end of said battery case; (i) means toinsulate said hollow member from said battery case. (j) a gas vent valvelocated in said battery case; and (k) means for transferring saidbattery case; and sure, from said electrolyte container to saidelectrode compartment when said electrolyte container is attached tosaid battery case to thereby activate said battery, said electrolyte isstored in a frangible envelope inside said electrolyte container andwherein said means to attach said electrolyte container to said batterycase includes means for removable attaching said electrolyte containerto said battery case, said means for removable attaching said batterycase comprises a hollow channel member extending from one end of saidelectrolyte container, said hollow channel end of said electrolytecontainer, said hollow channel member having hollow tube passingtherethrough and being so designed that said hollow channel member canbe removable secured inside said hollow member of said battery case,said hollow tube extending into said battery case when said hollowchannel member of said electrolyte container is secured inside saidhollow member of said battery case.